Visas In Hand

[slim 1,514]

If she doesn't have an international DL yet, have her get one. Ohio will recognize the international DL from Russia.

Even if she doesn't drive, have her "buy" one and bring it here, that way you guys can get practicing right away and don't have to mess with getting her a permit. It's also easier once she's ready to get her Ohio DL because she just takes the written test (in Russian) and then a driving test.

Not that it's easy.... (heading back to the BMV next week for, I hope, the final time) but at least she can get a jump on it. And who knows, maybe they'll actually teach her to drive!

[aspettando 0]

Being that we have to buy three tickets (for her and the two kids), we are thinking in the early fall as soon as peak travel season ends to save some money. She'll need the time anyway. Already she can't decide want to take and what to leave behind! Those are our thoughts for the moment, of course, all is subject to change!

Congratulations, Jeffrey! when will alla arrive?

Me again. What age are her kids? If they are still k12, maybe you want them here asap so that they start school on time. I know that means lots of 26xrubles but may be worth it. Sasha, my future step son has HS orientation the 8th of August and I am praying they will be here the 7th the latest.

[Chuckles 0]

Having done this before, I'd recommend not putting the child into Public school right after they land anyway. It doesn't matter how much English they know. Give them a month to acclimate. Even though kids adjust faster then adults, being in a class full of strangers you can't understand (even if you know English) is tough on a kid.

If they are typical Russian kids a month or 3 will not make much difference to them, because they will probably be ahead (curriculum wise) of the other students anyway. Although the American curriculum does tend to catch up to the Russian system around high school.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Interesting thoughts Slim! I shall ask Alla how much an international DL is going for these days. She had never even come close to driving a car. I know not one person in her family that owns one. She has made it clear she wants me to teach her. I have taught three of my children thus far, so I consider I'm up for the task.

If she doesn't have an international DL yet, have her get one. Ohio will recognize the international DL from Russia.

Even if she doesn't drive, have her "buy" one and bring it here, that way you guys can get practicing right away and don't have to mess with getting her a permit. It's also easier once she's ready to get her Ohio DL because she just takes the written test (in Russian) and then a driving test.

Not that it's easy.... (heading back to the BMV next week for, I hope, the final time) but at least she can get a jump on it. And who knows, maybe they'll actually teach her to drive!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

We will definitely allow the children some acclimation time. I know they are far ahead academically. Alla's daughter is one year younger than one of mine but studying two years ahead in some subjects. I want them to feel comfort in their home and environment prior to shipping them off to a classroom full of complete strangers.

Me again. What age are her kids? If they are still k12, maybe you want them here asap so that they start school on time. I know that means lots of 26xrubles but may be worth it. Sasha, my future step son has HS orientation the 8th of August and I am praying they will be here the 7th the latest.

Having done this before, I'd recommend not putting the child into Public school right after they land anyway. It doesn't matter how much English they know. Give them a month to acclimate. Even though kids adjust faster then adults, being in a class full of strangers you can't understand (even if you know English) is tough on a kid.

If they are typical Russian kids a month or 3 will not make much difference to them, because they will probably be ahead (curriculum wise) of the other students anyway. Although the American curriculum does tend to catch up to the Russian system around high school.

[slim 1,514]

We will definitely allow the children some acclimation time. I know they are far ahead academically. Alla's daughter is one year younger than one of mine but studying two years ahead in some subjects. I want them to feel comfort in their home and environment prior to shipping them off to a classroom full of complete strangers.

Have them stop walking everywhere, start eating potato chips and drinking Pepsi and playing lots and lots of video games. 3 months of that and they oughta fit right in!

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Congratulations, Jeffery and Alla. Have a happy reunion and a happy life together. We are extremely happy for you and wish you all the best.

Sasha and Jason

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

No Pepsi, Coca-Cola! Alla has already said, "We can to drink this "not useful" Coke only on special days or if we go to café. Chips we can have one or two times on week." As for the video games, "This they can to play every day" as they already do! (Although she is not very keen on her son's fascination with GTA.)

We will definitely allow the children some acclimation time. I know they are far ahead academically. Alla's daughter is one year younger than one of mine but studying two years ahead in some subjects. I want them to feel comfort in their home and environment prior to shipping them off to a classroom full of complete strangers.

Have them stop walking everywhere, start eating potato chips and drinking Pepsi and playing lots and lots of video games. 3 months of that and they oughta fit right in!

Thanks Sasha & Jason! When Alla gets her, we may want to share your title, "Infectiously Happy Members!"

Congratulations, Jeffery and Alla. Have a happy reunion and a happy life together. We are extremely happy for you and wish you all the best.

Sasha and Jason

[slim 1,514]

Thanks Sasha & Jason! When Alla gets her, we may want to share your title, "Infectiously Happy Members!"

Hey, I took the pills for that and they worked, so there shouldn't be a problem anymore, right?

[Satellite 1]

Having done this before, I'd recommend not putting the child into Public school right after they land anyway. It doesn't matter how much English they know. Give them a month to acclimate. Even though kids adjust faster then adults, being in a class full of strangers you can't understand (even if you know English) is tough on a kid.

If they are typical Russian kids a month or 3 will not make much difference to them, because they will probably be ahead (curriculum wise) of the other students anyway. Although the American curriculum does tend to catch up to the Russian system around high school.

Based on personal experience and other relatives who have come here as minors, the best thing you can do is throw them into school the next day. They will learn English ASAP and will do just fine. Sitting around the home does not help the acclimation process.

Also American high school is way behind Russian high schools. The real catch-up is done at the College level. At the top universities especially. Unfortunately our children are so unprepared for these schools that the catch-up is very difficult. Personal experience here, in terms of math and science.

Edited June 1, 2008 by Satellite

[Chuckles 0]

good advice.

Edited June 1, 2008 by Chuckles

[Don E 0]

When my ex and her son came over, we put him in school immediately. In fact, we got the interview moved up so that he could start school at the beginning of the semester. We felt it was the best thing from both academic and social aspects, and we never regretted that decision. He was 13 at the time and already fluent in English.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Alla looked into it. At $1000, it is far too pricey to consider. She said they have made it much more expensive and complicated to obtain through the normal channels, thus the "purchase" price has followed suit.

If she doesn't have an international DL yet, have her get one. Ohio will recognize the international DL from Russia.

Even if she doesn't drive, have her "buy" one and bring it here, that way you guys can get practicing right away and don't have to mess with getting her a permit. It's also easier once she's ready to get her Ohio DL because she just takes the written test (in Russian) and then a driving test.

Not that it's easy.... (heading back to the BMV next week for, I hope, the final time) but at least she can get a jump on it. And who knows, maybe they'll actually teach her to drive!

[✿Ice Rain✿ 0]

Hi Kazan,

Congratulations. :)

Shape

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Thanks you Shape!

Hi Kazan,

Congratulations. :)

Shape